The Best Netflix Streaming Movies To Watch Right Now

The Best Netflix Streaming Movies To Watch Right Now

What better way to celebrate the New Year by watching some movies from 2013 on Netflix Streaming? Netflix adds a slew of new movies to their popular streaming service at the beginning of (and throughout) every month. Recently, Netflix provided its members with a wide variety of movies fresh out of 2013 to their New Arrivals section. From 2013 acclaimed documentaries to action–packed thrillers, there’s something new on Netflix Streaming to suit any type of movie lover.

So to catch up on some of last year’s movies just simply power up your Netflix account. You can bundle up in bed, binge–eat on all your favorite snacks (free of judgment), and enjoy a feel good rom-com like Playing for Keeps. Or bring over friends, and leave all movie theatre etiquette aside, while watching a shocking documentary like Blackfish. The Netflix streaming selection can be super convenient, but also daunting with its many movie options.

So to help weed through Netflix’s huge instant–movie selection here are the 10 best 2013 movies to watch instantly with your (or maybe your friend’s) Netflix account. The list includes, Blackfish, The Host, Frances Ha, Shrek The Musical, and more. There are also movies starring Hollywood celebs like Gerard Butler and Tom Cruise–both blockbuster budget, thrilling action films. Unique foreign films such as The Sapphires from Australia, and The Wall from Germany also made the list. Check out the trailers of any of these 2013 movies you might have missed, and then watch away on Netflix Streaming.

1. The Host (2013)

Genre: Sci-Fi Adventure Romance

Director: Andrew Niccol

Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, and Jake Abel

Based on The New York Times bestselling novel by Stephenie Meyer (of the same name), The Host is the perfect movie for Twilight fans. There’s romance, adventure, and a suspenseful sci-fi plot. The movie sets up an end of the world scenario in which almost all of mankind is wiped out by an unknown enemy. Humans’ memories are erased and their bodies are completely overtaken by the mysterious villain. Then there is the heartugging romance of two young, survivors who meet by chance. Things get complicated for these star-crossed lovers when one is abducted by the enemy, and it’s unknown if their love will prevail. See the trailer for yourself here.

2. The Wall (2013)

Genre: Foreign Drama Fantasy

Director: Julian Pölsler

Stars: Wolfgang M. Bauer, Ulrike Beimpold, and Martina Gedeck

This Austrian-German film is a mysterious, psychological drama, that will definitely leave you thinking. Based off of the 1963 novel Die Wand, it's about a woman who finds herself unexplainably cut off from the world after roaming the beautiful Austrian countryside. Blocked off by an invisible wall, Frau (Martina Gedeck) must face nature’s fury with her only companion, a dog named Lynx. When the lack of human contact starts to take a toll on Frau, things get intense quickly. Watch it for its stunning cinematography and riveting plotline.
Trailer above!

3. Blackfish (2013)

Genre: Documentary

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Stars: Tilikum (the killer whale), Dave Duffus, and Samantha Berg

Blackfish centers on the devastating story of SeaWorld killer whale, Tilikum. The orca killed several people, including a top performing trainer, while held in captivity. The movie provides telling footage and interviews about Tilikum that shed light on the incredible emotional range of orcas and the difficulties of keeping such intelligent creatures in sea park facilities.

Check out the trailer above.

4. Shrek The Musical (2013)

Genre: Musical

Director: Michael John Warren and Jason Moore

Stars: Brian d’Arcy James, Sutton Foster, and Christopher Sieber

If you’re a fan of musicals or of the original Shrek movies, Shrek The Musical is definitely worth a watch. The Tony award-winning Broadway musical takes the well-known story of the ogre and princess who fall in love, giving it a fun musical twist.
Watch the trailer above.

5. The Sapphires (2013)

Genre: Biography, Comedy and Drama

Director: Wayne Blair

Stars: Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailman, and Jessica Mauboy

The Sapphires is an Australian independent film inspired by the true story of a music group that performs for the US troops in Vietnam. The movie has a little bit of everything–drama, comedy, music, and history. The leading actresses give soulful, epic performances and Chris O'Dowd serves up some funny one-liners (you might recognize him from Bridesmaids.)
Check out the trailer above.

6. 56 Up (2012)

Genre: Documentary, TV Movie Series

Director: Michael Apted and Paul Almond

Stars: Michael Apted, Bruce Balden and Jackie Bassett

56 Up is the captivating documentary from the British Up series. The TV Movie series documented the lives of 14 British children. It started when the kids were seven and followed up every seven years. Now the stars are all 56-years-old and this installment gives you a picture of each participant: what became of their dreams and aspirations, and what it was like being a part of this long-lasting documentary series.
Check out the trailer above.

7. Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

Genre: Action Thriller

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Stars: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, and Morgan Freeman

Olympus Has Fallen is a full on action thriller, with a Hollywood star-studded cast. If you’re a sucker for big budget action films, go ahead and stream it. The film is about an attack on the White House, in which the President is kidnapped and US national security is faced with an unprecedented national disaster. The only hope comes from a discredited presidential guard who is trapped within the captured White House.

Check out the trailer above!

8. Frances Ha (2012)

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Director: Noah Baumbach

Stars: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, and Adam Driver

Frances Ha follows the story of Frances, a twenty–something woman living in New York, who is faced with some difficult dilemmas. Being an apprentice for a dance company without proper training, not having an apartment in the city, and falling out with her best friend are just a few of Frances’ problems. Despite all of this, she still holds onto her dreams. If you're into HBO's Girls, this is the Netflix flick for you.

Check out the trailer above.

9. Jack Reacher (2012)

Genre: Action, Crime and Thriller

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Stars: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, and Richard Jenkins

Jack Reacher is another big budget action film, this time starring Tom Cruise as the title role. Reacher is a tough guy-homicide investigator with no limits when it comes to his cases. The movie plot involves Reacher’s in depth investigation into a case involving a trained and deadly military sniper.

See the trailer for yourself here.

10. Playing for Keeps (2012)

Genre: Comedy, Romance, and Sport

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Stars: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, and Dennis Quaid

Playing for Keeps is another film featuring a famous cast–Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Uma Thurman, all play leading roles. The plot involves a former soccer star who has to coach his son’s soccer team after his career goes down the drain. There’s also the romance involving his ex-wife and all the attractive soccer moms that are totally obsessed with him. You can check out the trailer here for a good laugh.